Vientiane, 23 August 2023: Effectively reducing plastic pollution in Lao PDR requires a unified and comprehensive contribution from all parts of society, including the private sector. This was the message from speakers at the Upstream and Downstream: Plastic Waste Management seminar in Lao PDR.
The seminar was organised by ERIA's Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (the Centre) and Lao PDR's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), in collaboration with Japan's Ministry of Environment (MOEJ) and the ASEAN Secretariat, and held at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane during ASEAN-Japan Environmental Week.
Attendees heard how multiple businesses in Lao PDR are addressing the plastic issue at different stages of its life cycle, thereby ensuring it is not only prevented from leaking into the environment but also reduced at its source.
Phasing out short-lived and single-use plastic products while also advancing waste management can help in achieving the targets of the upcoming National Plastics Action Plan (NPAP) for Lao PDR (2023-2030).
‘The waste management system in Lao PDR still suffers from insufficient waste collection that is still limited to a few areas. As a result, most plastic waste is disposed [of] by means of open dumping and open burning along the roads and riverbanks,’ said Ms Palina Khotphouthone, Deputy Director of the Environmental Policy Division, MoNRE Department of the Environment .
The country also does not have specific policy instruments for the management of plastic waste at the national or local level, and enforcement is far from strict.
‘For this reason, the government initiated the formulation of the NPAP in 2022 and set it to be enacted this year,’ she added.
The action plan encourages private sector involvement through activities such as collaborative awareness-raising campaigns, voluntary extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, and promotion of the use of eco-friendly products.
Ms Valy Phommachak, co-founder and Director of Econox Laos, said that reducing the amount of waste flowing into the river should start with initiatives to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics (SUPs).
‘The Plastic Free Laos Label by Econox certifies green businesses in hospitality areas that are committed to reducing SUPs. We provide training and advice as well as partnerships with green suppliers for members,’ she said.
The Rent Your Cup service by Econox Laos also helps members reduce their SUP consumption.
‘Customers can rent a reusable cup for a period of time and then return it to any cafes, restaurants, or hotels within our network,’ she said.
Ms Phommachak also said she welcomes the forthcoming National Plastics Action Plan (2023-2030), and is willing to collaborate with the government side for effective implementation.
Ms Arounothay Khoungkhakoune, founder of Bamboo Lao, engaged with the local people of Luang Prabang to produce bamboo straws as a substitute for single-use plastic straws, driven by the aspiration to preserve the natural world and support the local community.
Bamboo Lao, launched at the Mekong Tourism Forum in 2017, produced more than 50,000 straws in its first year, and successfully displaced the use of over five million plastic straws.
‘We believe that through Bamboo Lao, we are not just contributing to the reduction of plastic waste but also empowering the local community by providing sustainable economic opportunities for them,’ she said.
Waste Management Improvement
Mr Souksavanh Phengpaseuth, Manager of Lao Kayama, said Lao PDR’s rapid economic and population growth caused increased waste generation throughout the country, but waste management facilities, including for medical waste, remain inadequate.
‘We introduced a Japanese waste management system for medical waste which uses incinerators. By using this, not only are we detoxifying infectious waste, but also reducing plastic leakage into the environment,’ he said.
‘Our service has also expanded to industrial waste management,’ he added, citing how Lao Kayama was collaborating with the University of Laos to implement a system which separates waste and crushes it, before processing it into refuse derived fuel (RDF) for cement factory use.
Research Associate
Vientiane, 23 August 2023: Effectively reducing plastic pollution in Lao PDR requires a unified and comprehensive contribution from all parts of society, including the private sector. This was the message from speakers at the Upstream and Downstream: Plastic Waste Management seminar in Lao PDR.
The seminar was organised by ERIA's Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (the Centre) and Lao PDR's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), in collaboration with Japan's Ministry of Environment (MOEJ) and the ASEAN Secretariat, and held at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane during ASEAN-Japan Environmental Week.
Attendees heard how multiple businesses in Lao PDR are addressing the plastic issue at different stages of its life cycle, thereby ensuring it is not only prevented from leaking into the environment but also reduced at its source.
Phasing out short-lived and single-use plastic products while also advancing waste management can help in achieving the targets of the upcoming National Plastics Action Plan (NPAP) for Lao PDR (2023-2030).
‘The waste management system in Lao PDR still suffers from insufficient waste collection that is still limited to a few areas. As a result, most plastic waste is disposed [of] by means of open dumping and open burning along the roads and riverbanks,’ said Ms Palina Khotphouthone, Deputy Director of the Environmental Policy Division, MoNRE Department of the Environment .
The country also does not have specific policy instruments for the management of plastic waste at the national or local level, and enforcement is far from strict.
‘For this reason, the government initiated the formulation of the NPAP in 2022 and set it to be enacted this year,’ she added.
The action plan encourages private sector involvement through activities such as collaborative awareness-raising campaigns, voluntary extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, and promotion of the use of eco-friendly products.
Ms Valy Phommachak, co-founder and Director of Econox Laos, said that reducing the amount of waste flowing into the river should start with initiatives to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics (SUPs).
‘The Plastic Free Laos Label by Econox certifies green businesses in hospitality areas that are committed to reducing SUPs. We provide training and advice as well as partnerships with green suppliers for members,’ she said.
The Rent Your Cup service by Econox Laos also helps members reduce their SUP consumption.
‘Customers can rent a reusable cup for a period of time and then return it to any cafes, restaurants, or hotels within our network,’ she said.
Ms Phommachak also said she welcomes the forthcoming National Plastics Action Plan (2023-2030), and is willing to collaborate with the government side for effective implementation.
Ms Arounothay Khoungkhakoune, founder of Bamboo Lao, engaged with the local people of Luang Prabang to produce bamboo straws as a substitute for single-use plastic straws, driven by the aspiration to preserve the natural world and support the local community.
Bamboo Lao, launched at the Mekong Tourism Forum in 2017, produced more than 50,000 straws in its first year, and successfully displaced the use of over five million plastic straws.
‘We believe that through Bamboo Lao, we are not just contributing to the reduction of plastic waste but also empowering the local community by providing sustainable economic opportunities for them,’ she said.
Waste Management Improvement
Mr Souksavanh Phengpaseuth, Manager of Lao Kayama, said Lao PDR’s rapid economic and population growth caused increased waste generation throughout the country, but waste management facilities, including for medical waste, remain inadequate.
‘We introduced a Japanese waste management system for medical waste which uses incinerators. By using this, not only are we detoxifying infectious waste, but also reducing plastic leakage into the environment,’ he said.
‘Our service has also expanded to industrial waste management,’ he added, citing how Lao Kayama was collaborating with the University of Laos to implement a system which separates waste and crushes it, before processing it into refuse derived fuel (RDF) for cement factory use.
Research Associate
